What Makes Snickerdoodle Recipe No Cream of Tartar So Special
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar delivers soft, buttery cookies rolled in cinnamon sugar—the kind that melts in your mouth and fills your kitchen with warmth. These homemade snickerdoodles are tender on the inside with a delicate crunch from their sugary coating, perfect for afternoon tea or tucked into lunchboxes. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can skip the cream of tartar and still achieve that signature snickerdoodle tang, this recipe proves it’s possible with a clever twist!
This snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar is my go-to when I want soft, chewy cookies without a long ingredient list. It’s a shortcut to homemade goodness without losing flavor.
This snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar is perfect for last-minute baking sessions. With its short ingredient list and quick prep, you can have fresh cookies cooling on the rack in under 30 minutes.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar, this version is your new go-to. It keeps all the warmth, softness, and cinnamon-sugar magic you love, while skipping the tartar without losing that signature tangy bite.
I’ll confess—the first time I tested these easy snickerdoodles, I overbaked a batch (a cardinal sin for cookie lovers!). But here’s what I learned: pulling them out when the edges are *just* golden ensures they stay pillow-soft. Now, I always set a timer and resist peeking! Trust me, once you taste these cinnamon sugar cookies, you’ll understand why I double the recipe every time.
What You’ll Find in This Article
Snickerdoodle Recipe No Cream of Tartar
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for rolling)
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheets
- parchment paper
- wire cooling rack
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- In a small bowl, mix the ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then coat evenly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Notes
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar is proof that you can bake classic cookies with fewer specialty ingredients. Everything you need is likely already in your pantry, making it a fuss-free option for last-minute baking.
Ingredients for Snickerdoodle Recipe No Cream of Tartar
Snickerdoodle Recipe No Cream of Tartar
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for rolling)
Equipment
- stand mixer or hand mixer
- mixing bowls
- parchment-lined baking sheets
- measuring cups and spoons
- wire cooling rack
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- In a small bowl, mix the ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then coat evenly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Notes
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for rolling)
What’s great about this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar is that you probably already have everything in your pantry. No need for extra trips to the store.
This snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar is perfect when you need cookies fast. There’s no waiting for ingredients to soften too much or specialty baking powders to arrive—just mix, bake, and enjoy warm cinnamon goodness.
Cook Time for Easy Snickerdoodles
One of the joys of these quick snickerdoodles is how little time they demand. From measuring to cooling, you’re looking at just 30 minutes start to finish—15 minutes to whip up the dough (I let my stand mixer do the heavy lifting!), and another 8–10 minutes in the oven. If you’re craving more fuss-free treats, explore our collection of easy cookie recipes for busy days.
How to Make Soft Snickerdoodles
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add eggs
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
4. Combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
5. Roll in cinnamon sugar
In a small bowl, mix the ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then coat evenly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
6. Bake
Place dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
7. Cool
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
One of the reasons I adore this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar is how adaptable it is. Whether you like your cookies extra soft, slightly chewy, or with a crisp edge, small tweaks in baking time can make them exactly the way you love.
One thing I love about this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar is how forgiving it is. Even beginner bakers can achieve bakery-level cookies without complex steps or hard-to-find ingredients.
Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks
Over years of testing, I’ve picked up a few tricks to make these homemade snickerdoodles even more special. For instance, did you know a dash of nutmeg in the cinnamon sugar adds warmth? Here are my favorite tweaks:
Serve this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar with hot cocoa in winter or fresh berries in summer. The cinnamon sugar coating makes it a year-round favorite.
- Flavor swap: Replace 1 tsp cinnamon with cardamom for a floral twist—perfect with citrusy desserts.
- Diet tweak: Use coconut sugar for rolling (it caramelizes beautifully!).
- Texture fix: Chill dough 15 minutes if too sticky—cold hands help too!
- Storage tip: Layer cooled cookies with parchment in an airtight container—they’ll stay soft for 5 days (if they last that long!). For more healthy baking ideas, check out our guide.
If you’re looking for a dependable holiday bake, this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar works perfectly for cookie swaps, gift boxes, and last-minute dessert tables.
Nutrition and Health Benefits
While these quick snickerdoodles are certainly a treat, I love that they’re made with real ingredients—no mysterious additives! The cinnamon offers antioxidants, and using quality butter means you’re getting vitamin A. For context, one cookie contains about 120 calories, 6g fat, and 15g carbs. If you’re mindful of sugar, no-bake desserts might inspire you, or try the lighter version below. External resources like Cooked by Julie’s cookie science explain how small tweaks affect texture.
For a healthier spin, the snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar adapts beautifully. You can swap in alternative sweeteners, whole grain flour, or even add protein powder for a more filling treat.
A Lighter Version of Quick Snickerdoodles
For those watching sugar intake, these easy snickerdoodles adapt beautifully! Swap half the sugar with mashed banana (add 2 tbsp extra flour) or monk fruit sweetener. I’ve had success with whole wheat pastry flour too—just don’t overmix. Craving more guilt-free sweets? Our high-protein desserts satisfy cravings, and The Stay at Home Chef’s giant cookie shows how to scale down portions.
Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets
When my niece—who manages her blood sugar carefully—first asked if she could enjoy my homemade snickerdoodles, I rolled up my sleeves and got creative. The truth is, these cinnamon sugar cookies adapt beautifully for sugar-conscious bakers! For a diabetic-friendly version, I’ve had great success replacing half the sugar with monk fruit sweetener (it caramelizes just like the real thing). Another trick? Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract enhances sweetness naturally, letting you reduce sugar further. If you’re exploring lighter dessert options, The Dizzy Cook’s gluten-free version proves texture doesn’t have to suffer.
Mistakes to Avoid When Making Snickerdoodle Recipe No Cream of Tartar
How to Store Snickerdoodle Recipe No Cream of Tartar Cookies
There’s a memory I cherish—my grandmother serving warm soft snickerdoodles with cold milk in her floral teacups, the cinnamon scent mingling with her lavender sachets. Today, I love pairing these quick snickerdoodles with berry mousse for contrast, or crumbled over vanilla pudding. For gatherings, I arrange them on vintage cake stands with Bless This Mess’s spiced cider—the ultimate autumn combo!
Last Christmas, I tucked these cookies into mason jars with ribbons—a sweet gift that had neighbors knocking for the recipe. Whether you’re hosting book club or packing lunchboxes, their versatility shines.
Mistakes to Avoid
Oh darling, I’ve made every snickerdoodle blunder possible—like the time I used melted butter (hello, pancake cookies!). Here’s how to sidestep common pitfalls:
Following these tips will ensure your snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar turns out light, fluffy, and irresistibly spiced every time.
- Overbaking: Pull cookies out when edges are barely golden—they firm up as they cool. Oven temps vary, so check at 8 minutes.
- Sticky dough: If your hands resemble cinnamon-sugar gloves, chill the dough 15 minutes. Cold bowls help too!
- Flat cookies: As Our Best Bites notes, properly creamed butter is key—it should look like fluffy clouds.
My first batch spread into one giant cookie—which, honestly, we devoured with spoons! Now I space dough balls 2 inches apart religiously.
How to Store Snickerdoodle Recipe No Cream of Tartar
Remember those tins grandmothers kept under the counter? That’s the secret to keeping easy snickerdoodles fresh! Layer cooled cookies between parchment in an airtight container—they’ll stay soft for 5 days. For longer storage, freeze unbaked dough balls in ziplock bags (they bake straight from frozen, adding 2 minutes). I’ve even thawed frozen baked cookies in the microwave at 30% power—perfect with hot cocoa. Cooking LSL’s storage tips work wonders for cookies too!
Try This Snickerdoodle Recipe No Cream of Tartar Yourself
I’ll never forget the first time my grandson helped me roll these dough balls—his tiny hands covered in cinnamon sugar, grinning like he’d discovered treasure. That’s the magic of homemade snickerdoodles: they’re not just cookies, but memory-makers. Whether you’re baking for a Valentine’s surprise or after-school snacks, this recipe meets you where you are. Share your creations with someone who needs a sweet moment—it’s the Burgundy way!
Once you try this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar, it will quickly earn a spot in your regular baking rotation. It’s a crowd-pleaser for holidays, school events, and cozy afternoons at home.
Once you bake this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar, you’ll see why it’s a keeper. It’s quick, simple, and delivers that classic cinnamon-sugar flavor without the fuss of cream of tartar.
From weeknight cravings to festive gatherings, this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar is the one I reach for again and again. It’s timeless, simple, and always a hit.
Once you try this snickerdoodle recipe no cream of tartar, it’s bound to become part of your regular baking rotation. Simple, cozy, and impossible to resist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend (I like ones with xanthan gum). For extra tenderness, try adding a tablespoon of yogurt to the dough.
Why did my cookies turn out cakey?
Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a cake-like texture. Mix just until the flour disappears—some streaks are okay! Cooked by Julie’s visual guide shows the perfect consistency.
How do I get more tang without cream of tartar?
A teaspoon of lemon juice or plain yogurt adds lovely brightness. The acidity helps mimic that classic snickerdoodle zing!
Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Yes! Freeze in single layers before transferring to bags. Thaw at room temperature—or warm briefly for that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
